Clinical Lite

Today was observation in the Cath lab. There’s not much to say about it other than they seem like a crazy bunch, and observation makes me pass out.

There was a revolving door of doctors/nurses/techs, this place truly is a “well oiled machine.” Good lifestyle choice, but I think I would bore of it fairly quickly.

NCLEX Practice Question of the Week

Here is the weekly question posted on the NCSBN Learning Extension:

A nurse is caring for a client who has developed cardiac tamponade. Which finding would the nurse anticipate?

1. Widening pulse pressure
2. Pleural friction rub
3. Distended neck veins
4. Bradycardia

NCLEX Practice Question of the Week

(This is a really old one, just noticed that I didn’t post it)

Here is the weekly question posted on the NCSBN Learning Extension:

A client is unconscious following a tonic-clonic seizure. What should a nurse do first?

1. Check the pulse
   2. Administer the ordered Ativan
   3. Place the client in a side-lying position
   4. Place a tongue blade in the mouth

 

NCLEX Practice Question of the Week

Here is the weekly question posted on the NCSBN Learning Extension:

A nurse is caring for a client who has just had the placement of a central venous catheter line. To which of these assessments should a nurse give immediate attention?

1. Pallor in the extremities
2. Increased temperature by one degree
3. Dyspnea at rest
4. Involuntary coughing spells

And It Begins Again

Yesterday we had our first class of the semester. Med Surg 2. I am closing in on graduation, with really only this class (the others I hear are a cake walk) standing in my way. In my usual fashion, I strolled in late. Sat in the back, and tried my best to pay attention to the lecture. Not too bad, but I had the feeling I would really have to study this time around.

Today should have been a clinical day, but instead we all met at school to get our hospital orientations… again. Considering we keep going back to the same hospitals, why do this again? Well, it seems that the hospital I will be at for the next month has changed their orientation for student nurses. And… their presentation is based on one that was presented by a student from last year’s class. Go ABSN.

I’m going back to the ICU. Pretty happy about that, I really dislike the medical floors. I need that constant, move from one thing to the next that I would expect in a unit such as the ICU. In reality, I’m sure that I’ll have a lot of down time. I am after all, just a nursing student. I am limited in what I can do, and what I can do is always supervised. It can be frustrating at times, because you get the feeling that you’re really not doing anything. But I see their point- I can totally screw up and they would have to deal with it.

The group I’m in seems pretty good- pretty much the top of the class… and me. I truly feel like the weakest link in the group, and I hope I don’t screw up. SO thinks I’m crazy to think that way, and constantly reminds me of how most of the class usually turns to me when it comes to schoolwork. I think they’re nuts, I really have no clue what I’m doing. If anything, it’s the all those science classes I’ve taken over the years that are somehow eeking out of my brain. But really… I have no clue what I’m doing.

After letting them sit on the floor of my bedroom for the last two months, I’ve finally put my uniforms into the wash. I also bought a new pair of shoes for clinical, I can’t take those nursing shoes anymore. Nursing Mates kill your feet, and they’re supposed to do the opposite. I decided to get one of those exercise shoes, think MBT/Sketches/Dr. Scholl’s. There are so many brands out there hawking their take on the shoe, so you should find something in your price range. On my last rotation, Psych, all the nurses wore them and kept going on and on about how wonderful they are during the shift. Unlike Danskos (which I would rather wear), the is little chance you’ll turn your ankles on these. They take some getting used to, because you feel like you’re going to fall backwards. But it’s supposed to help with your posture, and give your a good workout. Considering I’m on my feet most of the day, it should be a crazy good workout.

With that done, I’m off to do some studying. I really am. I have motivation again.

NCLEX Practice Question of the Week

Here is the weekly question posted on the NCSBN Learning Extension:

A client expresses anger when a call light is not answered within five minutes. The client demanded a blanket. A nurse should respond in which manner?

1. “I apologize for the delay. I was involved in an emergency.”
2. “Let’s talk. Why are you upset about this?”
3. “I am surprised that you are upset. The request could have waited a few more minutes.”
4. “I see this is frustrating for you. I have a few minutes so let’s talk.”

NCLEX Practice Question of the Week

Here is the weekly question posted on the NCSBN Learning Extension:

A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a blood transfusion and develops urticaria one-half hour after the transfusion has begun. What is the first action the nurse should take?

1. Stop the infusion
2. Slow the rate of infusion
3. Take vital signs and observe for further deterioration
4. Administer Benadryl and continue the infusion

Vacation Update

A quick hello while I’m on winter break. I know I haven’t posted any NCLEX questions (for those of you who even read this blog) but hey… I wasn’t near a computer for a while.

So, I will try and post this week’s question. And my break will be ending shortly, as I am taking a class during the winter session. It’s all online, so should be relatively easy.

Should be. We’ll see.

Winter Break

Not that I’ve been writing on this blog all too often. But I’m done for the semester and wasn’t kicked out. It’s a good feeling when you wake up and you know you don’t have to be anywhere school related, nor do you have to read for a class or get anything ready for a class. Power point presentations be gone!!!
My next class is actually an online one, which means more time for me to relax. I’ve already planned that most of my studying for this class will be at the ski lodge, inbetween runs. This isn’t meant to brag, but I am seriously due some fun times.

Have a good holiday everyone!

NCLEX Practice Question of the Week

Here is the weekly question posted on the NCSBN Learning Extension:

A nurse is caring for a client in the coronary care unit. The display on the cardiac monitor indicates ventricular fibrillation. What should the nurse do first?

1. Perform defibrillation
2. Administer epinephrine as ordered
3. Assess for presence of pulse
4. Institute CPR